What To Do With Porter Martone?

Porter Martone is easily one of, if not the most pro-ready, prospects from the 2025 NHL Draft Class. It’s no secret that he wants to turn pro as fast as possible. Could he do it this year? It’s certainly possible. What about college or even returning to the OHL? There are plenty of options for the Flyers and Martone, but what should he do?

Coming into camp as the 2025 6th-overall draft selection, Martone has high expectations set for him. Would rushing him to make the roster in year 1 be too fast? Could it hurt his development?

Maybe the OHL is not where the Flyers want Martone. That’s understandable. But what if they don’t want him at the pros yet, either? Then, the NCAA may be the right way to go.

There are many options for the Flyers and their new prized prospect, but which is the right way to go?

Is the NCAA the Right Route for Porter Martone?

As excited as I am to see Porter Martone tearing up the NHL, in my opinion, going to the NCAA is the best route for Martone.

While the NHL is the ultimate goal, playing in the NCAA would help him continue to develop his skills while in a more physical environment than the OHL.

The NCAA is tough. Competition in college is bigger, stronger, and faster. The CHL is home to some of the most skilled players in all of junior hockey. However, the competition is much younger and a lot less physical. Going to the NCAA, Martone will be playing against 18-23 year olds. Not to mention, the best teams in the country will be lining up to bring Martone and his talents to their campus.

Playing in the NCAA feels like the best all-around option. From what I have heard, even after the addition of Gavin McKenna, Penn State is still a real option for Martone. I would also expect a school like Michigan State, which missed out on McKenna and is home to Martone’s future teammate Shane Vansaghi, to get aggressive in pursuit. I would also still keep an eye on Michigan, North Dakota, and Boston University, in that order.

The NCAA route is the best option and is fun to discuss, but will it ultimately matter?

Are the Pros Really An Option

While I still think that the NCAA is the most likely option for Martone, I feel as if it is more likely he will play in the NHL rather than return to the OHL this season.

Especially with the injury to Tyson Foerster, the Flyers now have an opening, though it’s short-term, on the wing. More specifically, they have a top-six wing opening.

If Martone were to go straight to the pros, the Flyers should not waste his development time on a bottom-six line. They’d want him to play with the most skilled guys they have to improve his development rather than hurt it.

He could be competing with Alex Bump, who might be more pro-ready than Martone, for the final roster spot, not counting Foerster’s.

If he does not secure that spot, then Martone could take over Foerster’s role until he is ready to return from injury and try to prove his worth. Who knows, if Martone keeps up, they can find a way to open a roster spot for him.

Playing in the NHL could be a challenge for Martone, especially coming straight from the OHL, but that feels better for his development than another year in Brampton.

Is an OHL Return a Possibility?

In all honesty, I only really see one scenario where Martone returns for one more season in Brampton.

That scenario: Martone signs his ELC, goes all in on making the Flyers out of camp, and does not make it, forcing him back to Brampton.

Look, the Flyers’ 2025 6th-overall pick has made his intentions pretty clear. He wants to play in the NHL as soon as possible. Is that this year? Who knows. However, unless he’s very clearly told by Flyers brass that he will not be on the team this season and they want him to play in the NCAA, he will do everything he can to make the team.

Let’s say the Flyers entertain that. He could make the team, OR they could send him back to Brampton for one more year.

If it does not happen out of camp, and Martone makes the team, he could always be sent back after nine games if they don’t think he’s ready.

What would you do with Porter Martone?

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What To Do With Porter Martone?

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